Whole Turkey · Nose to Tail — Not Just Thanksgiving — the Year's Best Bulk Bird

a whole turkey is the best bulk-poultry buy of the year. One bird gives a breast that feeds a crowd, two big legs that braise or confit beautifully, wings, a carcass that makes gallons of the year's best stock, and pounds of meat to freeze. Dark and white cook at different speeds — spatchcock, or cook the legs apart from the breast, so neither dries out. Buy a breast roast or a pack of legs only when you don't want the whole bird.